However, ESPN FC journalist Melissa Reddy claims that the Reds ‘have called off negotiations with Roma’.

Sources have told ESPN FC that Liverpool knocked the deal on the head because they were ‘growing frustrated at their attempts to unsettle the player and a failure to formalise the offer that was discussed’.

Roma are looking for a replacement for Kostas Manolas – who moved to Napoli earlier in the summer – and will now move on to other targets.

The report adds that Roma had told Liverpool they were ready to pay £15m and offer the player a £3.6m a year wage package, only to back out and work ‘with Italian intermediaries to try and negotiate a small loan sum for the Croatia international’.

The Reds remain ‘open to offers’ for Lovren, while the whole situation has left the centre-back ‘restless’.